Watersports Tips
Start writing a post
Sports

Training For Watersports Can Teach You A Lot About Your Character

Physical strength, mental attitude, persistence, and commitment.

178
Training For Watersports Can Teach You A Lot About Your Character

Watersports are not easy, and to be successful, you have to be mentally and physically trained. Although wakeboarding, wakesurfing, and waterskiing are three different sports, the way to succeed in them is extremely similar, if not the same. These three sports require tremendous commitment, determination, and persistence when you are first learning. Watersports also entail people who are risk-taking and adventurous because swimming in deep and open waters can at often times scare people.

Since I recently learned how to wakesurf myself, I realized how easy it is to give up and become frustrated with the first few unsuccessful attempts. I learned that the key to success is to keep the mind concentrated and committed to standing up on the board and keeping balance once you are up. While my personal experience progressed, I learned that a few technicalities really show one's character in this sport, including physical strength, mental attitude, persistence, and commitment. These all portray the type of person you are within while practicing watersports.

Regardless of the fact that physical strength is beneficial for one's body and health, it is also an essential factor when playing sports. The strongest player is usually always at an advantage, but a misconception that is often believed is that dependent on the sport, athletes have upper body strength but do not have lower body strength and vice versa. This idea is untrue. No matter the sport, athletes need to be physically strong in all areas. Of course, some sports will require some muscles to be used and trained more than others, but overall, the whole body needs to be strong - especially in watersports.

I learned that in the case of watersports, it is very beneficial when you have a strong core, lower body, and upper body. Having strong legs is definitely necessary for getting up on the board and keeping your balance, but a strong upper body strength also comes into play. When being pulled by the boat, having strong arms is essential in being able to keep a strong grip while an immense amount of pressure from the boat is jolting you away. And lastly, surprisingly or not, having a strong core definitely aids in keeping the proper balance.

Now for those of you who have not realized this yet, mental attitude is everything. Being constantly frustrated and focusing on your failures will only result in harder obstacles and fewer successes. Keeping a positive mindset is very important throughout life. When practicing watersports, especially in the beginning, it is important to keep a positive attitude and remind yourself that anything is possible.

Even though you will fall many times, the sport is not impossible as long as you believe in yourself and keep trying. I learned that those who are ready to keep trying after their falls and reiterate that they want to "go again" are the people who succeed the fastest when they are first learning. These are the people that do not give up, which coincides with the idea of persistence and commitment.

People who start off start off determined and committed to riding - no matter what - are the people who are often the most successful in the sport. When this person has tried over 8-10 times and are not giving up, or when he/she doesn't wait around in the water; instead they quickly ask for the rope so they can try again, or when he/she asks for tips - that's when the person is demonstrating natural commitment and is ambitiously eager to succeed. If these qualities are portrayed while practicing the sport, then it is most likely reflecting the aspiring and enthusiastic character that lives within the person.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

51835
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33290
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956187
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181117
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments